The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 532

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Youngest Son of the Eun Hae Trading Company Chapter 532

Chapter 532. Vigilance is Essential (3)

Soul-Stealing Incense.
It earned that name because it possessed the ability to suppress another’s will and control them at whim.
It was the same sort of thing as Je-ung, which the Shaanxi Scorpion had possessed before.
I couldn’t fathom why such artifacts were ever created, but in the future I knew, it rested not in pirate hands, but in those of the Black Path.
Countless innocent people had suffered grievously because of it.
I’d heard that when Soul-Stealing Incense was used, the scent of roses lingered in that place for quite some time.
It was strange that rose fragrance filled the air when roses weren’t yet in bloom—now I understood the reason.
I hadn’t thought that far ahead.
A low growl escaped my throat.
Sensing my agitation, Geum Ryung-i tapped my arm gently from within my sleeve, as if urging me to calm myself.
– Chirp! Chirp!
It’s fine. My mind is sharper now than it’s ever been.
I turned to the former pirates and asked them a question.
“Do you know of any weaknesses they might have?”
I already knew about the Blood Tide Gang, of course. But I asked because they might know things I didn’t.
“Weaknesses, you say….”
“We’re not entirely certain about that, but he’s an extremely greedy man.”
“That’s probably why he’s come all the way to the harbor doing such things.”
“Pirates are supposed to keep a low profile at harbors if they want to live long, after all.”
I nodded at their words.
“I see. If you know anything else about them, I’d appreciate hearing everything. If you cooperate, I’ll have a special meal prepared for you this evening.”

After a moment, I entered my quarters.
I poured tea into a cup and chilled it with Ice Martial Sect techniques, then drank it in successive gulps.
Then I opened my mouth.
“I intend to eliminate the Blood Tide Gang pirates. If I simply leave those who inflict such losses upon me unpunished, others will surely suffer the same fate.”
“Indeed.”
I recalled what I had heard from the former pirates earlier.
Those who had been manipulated by the Blood Tide Gang’s soul-binding incense retained no memory of it whatsoever.
That was why they had no recollection of the cart being switched.
Moreover, since the cart had been switched by those under their control, naturally no aura of the Black Path had been detected.
“They say those villains are greedy. Having tasted success once, if we dangle the bait again, they will surely bite.”
I continued speaking.
“Palgap. Summon Yeochang’s Vice-Lord.”
“Understood.”
Soon Yeochang’s Vice-Lord entered my chamber.
“You called for me?”
“Yes.”
“I am truly sorry about this incident. I should have guarded it better….”
“This is not the time for self-recrimination.”
I shook my head, cutting off his words.
“Listen carefully to what I say.”
“I am all ears.”
“Our Eun Hae Trading Company lost the gift we were to present to the King of Dae-Wol Kingdom, so we have prepared golden cups as replacements. These cups are being kept under strict guard in a warehouse at the harbor.”
“Is that so? Truly?”
“Believe it is true, and act accordingly. Do you understand what I mean?”
At my words, Yeochang’s Vice-Lord’s eyes brightened, and he clasped his fists in a bow.
“I understand. I shall do as you say.”
“Only you, Vice-Lord Yeo, must know the true intention behind this.”
“Yes.”
“Then go and begin moving immediately.”
“I accept your command.”
Yeochang’s Vice-Lord left my quarters, and I spoke to everyone present.
“Then, let us move as well.”
We exited the guest room. At that moment, the door to the adjacent guest room opened and Seo Hyang stepped out.
“Ah, Gwak Vice-Manager.”
“I heard the news. I apologize.”
At her apology, I paused to look at her for a moment.
“Come inside for a moment and let us talk.”
“Yes.”
I guided her into the room and took a seat.
“Why are you apologizing to me?”
“It’s because I couldn’t see his future….”
Ah, as I thought….
So it wasn’t that things would resolve well that she didn’t mention it, but rather she couldn’t see it at all.
Her ability to see the future was indeed fragmentary, and she couldn’t control it or know in advance what she would see.
I thought I understood what she was thinking.
“Gwak Vice-Manager.”
“Yes.”
“Are you perhaps blaming yourself for not being able to help me with that ability?”
At my words, she flinched.
“Are you a fool?”
“Pardon?”
“I thought you were clever.”
I sighed.
“It’s true that I receive help thanks to Gwak Vice-Manager’s ability. And I’m deeply grateful for it. Because of you, I was able to save many people this time as well.”
I continued.
“But the reason I keep Gwak Vice-Manager by my side isn’t because of that ability. Honestly, there’s your father’s request and you’re my vice-manager, but before that… it’s because you’re Gwak Vice-Manager.”
“Pardon?”
Why… did those words come out?
I cleared my throat awkwardly.
“Ahem, in any case, I have a duty to protect Gwak Vice-Manager. So you don’t need to burden yourself with the obsession that you must be helpful to me. Do you understand?”
“….”
“Well?”
“Yes.”
I chuckled and spoke.
“So don’t worry too much and just wait. As you’ve seen so far, my abilities are quite exceptional.”
“That’s certainly true.”
Then she spoke.
“Ah… you absolutely must get rid of that necklace.”
I chuckled again.
“So that was a necklace.”
.
.
.
A short while later.
I took my companions and traveled through the marketplaces of Namgyeong, purchasing golden goblets.
And I didn’t forget to complain to the people around me.
“Sigh… with that disappearing, do you know how much of a loss this is!”
“My goodness! I don’t know what words of comfort I should offer.”
“This time I intend to guard it thoroughly. That’s why I’ve even purchased a rather sturdy warehouse.”
“I hope all goes well this time.”
I purchased an appropriate number of wine cups and had them wrapped ostentatiously before loading them onto a cart bound for the Harbor.
Once I had the cart delivered to the Warehouse at the Harbor, I issued orders to those guarding it.
“Listen carefully, all of you. You must protect those wine cups without fail.”
“We accept your command.”
I returned to my Quarters.
Now all that remained was to wait for word to spread and reach their ears.
They had made a mistake.
How dare they touch what belongs to me.

* * *

Night had fallen.
The Harbor, where only the sound of water lapping could be heard, held ships preparing to depart for trade with foreign lands.
Figures appeared wearing shoes lined with animal fur to muffle their footsteps.
They crept silently toward a particular Warehouse.
“Is this the right Warehouse?”
“Yes. Without question.”
At that answer, a man smiled with satisfaction.
His name was Jeon Jung, Captain of the Blood Tide Gang of pirates.
Jeon Jung observed the Warehouse being thoroughly guarded by Warriors.
“The level of security suggests this is indeed where the gold wine cups are stored.”
They had heard in the Marketplace that Eun Seo-ho, the Small Guild Master of the Eun Hae Trading Company, had purchased a hundred gold wine cups.
Today, they had come targeting those cups.
“Foolish bastards. No matter how many Warriors they station, it’s useless.”
He chuckled softly and withdrew a necklace from around his neck.
The necklace was called the Soul-Binding Incense.
Its fragrance possessed the ability to control others’ minds at will.
Yesterday, using this very item, he had already stolen one cart.
Inside that box were several small bottles of spirits.
They appeared to be quite valuable, so he had left them untouched, but upon hearing today that they were goods prepared as tribute for the King of Dae-Wol Kingdom, he understood their significance.
Since there were only a few sips’ worth of spirits, it seemed wasteful to touch them.
But when news of the gold wine cups reached him, he had no choice but to come.
The Soul-Binding Incense alone was insufficient to earn his subordinates’ loyalty and maintain dominion over them.
He needed to distribute rewards consistently.
Yet here were a hundred gold wine cups.
Even distributing them one by one would leave him with dozens of gold wine cups.
Jeon Jung activated the Soul-Binding Incense.
Ssssshhhhh.
Soon the fragrance spread to all those guarding the Warehouse.
“You have seen nothing.”
“I accept your command.”
“Those guarding the warehouse door—open it at once and bring out the cart inside.”
“I accept your command.”
At his instruction, those guarding the warehouse door opened it as if entranced and stepped inside.
They emerged pulling a cart laden with golden goblets.
This time, I didn’t bother with the tedious task of swapping carts.
Back then, I had intended to remain here for a while, so such elaborate deceptions were necessary. But now, there was no need for such complications.
I planned only to gather this and return to headquarters.
“Return to your posts and guard the warehouse again. And forget everything you’ve seen.”
“I accept your command.”
Thus, they returned to their original positions.
The Blood Tide Gang pulled the cart toward the vessel they had secretly moored.
Upon reaching the coastal area, they opened the topmost box.
Golden goblets glimmered in the moonlight, piled high within.
“Hehehehe, ah, what beautiful things!”
“With this, we can feast and revel for quite some time.”
“Hehehehe, indeed.”
The Blood Tide Captain closed the box lid and issued an order.
“Transfer them to the main ship.”
“Yes, sir!”
“If any of you drop this in the sea, I’ll have you tied to the bow until you die!”
“Eek!”
Threatened thus, the pirate crew handled the boxes with utmost care.
After transferring the boxes to the small boat, they rowed toward the main ship.
The main ship could not be moored at the coastal area.
The coast was not deep enough like a proper harbor, and discovery by anyone would spell disaster.
So the main ship was anchored nearby.
Splash, splash.
As they rowed toward the main ship, they used ropes to hoist the boxes aboard.
The rest climbed the ladder onto the deck.
The captain called out to those waiting on deck with hearty laughter.
“Hahahaha! You dogs! I’ve brought something magnificent for you! Behold!”
The pirates, seeing the gleaming golden goblets, responded with jubilation.
“Waaaaah!”
“You’re the best, Captain!”
“A day like this—we can’t let it pass! Tonight, we feast!”
“Woooah!”
Though a prohibition on alcohol remained in effect throughout the Empire, such matters meant nothing to pirates.
Soon, wine was brought from the hold, and the pirates reveled in their celebration, drinking freely.
Meanwhile, the boxes containing the golden goblets the captain had brought were transferred to the captain’s quarters.
The Captain’s Quarters was a place no one could enter freely, which made it safe.
Someone among the pirates might be tempted to pocket a golden goblet if given the chance.

* * *

Whoosh, whoosh.
Once I confirmed the surroundings had grown quiet, I sliced through the side of the crate and emerged.
From outside came the boisterous sounds of revelry, and the pungent aroma of strong spirits drifted in.
These bastards are having the time of their lives.
Good, enjoy yourselves. Today is your last day, after all.
I tapped on the crate.
Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.
Two taps, six times.
The signal to emerge.
With that, the side of the crate was cut open, and my Guard Warriors climbed out.
We had been hiding inside the crates containing the golden goblets.
There were ten crates in total, and I, Seo-woo Warrior, Jin Yu Warrior, and Yeo Eung-am Warrior were in the four crates placed at the bottom.
The six crates placed on top contained the genuine golden goblets.
Noting that they had little time to spare, I had placed only the crates with real golden goblets on the upper part of the cart.
Because the golden goblets were heavier than expected, they never suspected we were inside the crates.
The remaining Guard Warriors were waiting at the coastal area.
They had separate tasks to accomplish.
We slowly surveyed our surroundings.
Since this was the Captain’s Quarters, there was a high likelihood that our belongings they had taken were here.
Ah! Found it.
A familiar crate placed near the bed.
Opening the crate, everything was preserved intact.
“Fortunately, they didn’t touch it.”
“Geum-ryeong.”
“Squeak?”
“Put this small bottle and all those golden goblets into the Secret Vault.”
“Squeak!”
But then…
“Squeak… squeak?”
“Alright. I’ll give you one golden goblet. But in exchange…”
I made one additional request of Geum-ryeong.
“Squeak!”
That was their specialty anyway, so no need to worry?
Geum-ryeong’s eyes lit up at once, and they wiggled their hindquarters with glee.
At that sight, I couldn’t help but smile.
But my eyes gazing beyond the Captain’s Quarters were cold as ice.
“Sigh… Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
We seized our blades and exited the Captain’s Quarters, immediately beginning to swing them.
Slash!
“Argh!”
Swish!
“Cough!”
The festive banquet filled with wine and food transformed in an instant into the screams and blood of pirates.
To an outside observer, we might appear as villains, but these men were worthless to spare.
Even the former pirates imprisoned in the Namgyeong Regional Commander Prison would recoil at how depraved these men were.
They would be suppressed by the Emperor years from now.
Only the captain barely escaped, and it must have been from that captain that a Black Path warrior stole the Soul-Binding Incense.
Though they would inevitably be eliminated by then, thinking of all those who would suffer in the years between now and then, these men had to disappear here.
Soon the pirates regained their senses and attempted to counterattack, but already heavily intoxicated and staggering, they could not mount an effective defense.
Besides, the disparity in skill was already overwhelming.
But then a voice reached my ears.
“You’ve made a mistake!”
Turning my head, I saw the captain standing with the protection of his other pirates.
“I don’t know how you infiltrated this place, but you won’t die peacefully!”
And in that moment, the scent of roses filled my nostrils.
He issued his command.
“Drop your weapons and kneel before me!”
Of course, why would I have come so confidently if I didn’t know of the Soul-Binding Incense’s existence?
Such things were utterly useless against me.
I smiled wickedly and spread the power of the Taiyin Ice-Sea Divine Art in all directions.
The rose scent soon dissipated.
“The mistake was yours first.”
I will collect the price for that with your life.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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